Pivotable Crawler Sub-frames for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crawler track systems fail to evenly distribute the vehicle's mass onto the ground when driving over obstacles or uneven terrain, leading to inadequate ground contact and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A crawler track unit with pivotable sub-frames and a damping system, including a piston-cylinder unit and elastic spring elements, allows for even weight distribution and adaptive flexibility over uneven ground, utilizing a support roller arrangement with a pendulum and pivotable components to maintain maximum contact area and absorb shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the crawler track system uses a rigid fixed frame structure, then the construction is simple, but the vehicle mass cannot be evenly distributed on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The crawler track system is divided into multiple pivotable sub-frames (first sub-frame, second sub-frame, third sub-frame) that can independently move relative to each other. Each sub-frame can pivot about its own axis, allowing the system to adapt to uneven terrain while maintaining even mass distribution. This segmentation enables the structure to be both relatively simple and adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed rigid frame is replaced with a dynamic system where sub-frames can pivot about their respective axes. The first sub-frame pivots about a first axis, the second sub-frame pivots about a second axis, and the third sub-frame pivots about a third axis. This dynamic capability allows the system to automatically adjust to uneven ground conditions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and mass distribution uniformity.
2Reliability
If the crawler track system uses pivotable sub-frames to distribute mass evenly, then the ground loading is uniform, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex function of even mass distribution is achieved through segmentation into multiple simple pivotable sub-frames. Each sub-frame has a simple pivot mechanism about its own axis, and the combination of these simple elements achieves the complex goal of uniform ground loading. The segmentation allows complexity to be distributed across multiple simple components rather than requiring one complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a vertical dimension of movement through the pivotable sub-frames. Instead of a single rigid plane, the sub-frames can pivot about vertical axes, adding a degree of freedom that enables adaptation to uneven terrain. This dimensional addition allows even mass distribution without requiring complex active control systems.
3Reliability
If the crawler track system increases contact area with the ground, then the mass distribution is improved, but the vehicle stability on obstacles decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic pivotable sub-frames that can adapt their orientation based on terrain conditions. When encountering an obstacle, the sub-frames can pivot to maintain optimal contact while preserving vehicle stability. The dynamic adjustment allows the system to increase contact area when needed without compromising stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the sub-frame orientations based on terrain conditions. By adjusting the pivot angles and positions of the sub-frames, the system optimizes the contact area with the ground while maintaining vehicle stability. This parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to different terrain conditions without fixed compromises.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures uniform ground loading and protection of the vehicle's floor by evenly transferring the vehicle's weight across the largest possible contact area, enhancing stability and reducing the impact of obstacles and uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
At least one damping element (26) is arranged between the first sub-frame (7) and the second sub-frame (8), with the damping element being connected to the first and second sub-frames (7, 8).
Implementation Method 2
At least one spring element (37) is arranged in an advantageous development of the invention between the first partial frame (7) and the second partial frame (8), the spring element being designed as an elastic rubber element.
Implementation Method 3
the damping element is designed as a piston-cylinder unit in order to achieve effective damping that is dependent on the deflection speed of the running wheels.
Data Source
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AI summary
The gear (3) has two sub-frames (7, 8), where each of the sub-frames accommodates rotors (9, 10). The sub-frame (7) is pivotably arranged at a vehicle (2), and is pivotable around a pivoting axis (15). The sub-frame (8) is pivotably arranged at the sub-frame (7), and is pivotable around another pivoting axis (16). The pivoting axis (15) is arranged at the center between the rotors, and the pivoting axis (16) is arranged proximate to an axis of rotation (12) of the rotor (10) than an axis of rotation (11) of the rotor (9).